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Chris Lehane renowned political crisis strategist now serves as OpenAI’s VP of global policy, tasked with convincing the public that OpenAI cares deeply about democratizing AI, even as the company takes increasingly aggressive and controversial steps.
Lehane’s Role at OpenAI
Lehane is no stranger to spinning difficult narratives he’s advised presidents, handled tough press in regulatory fights, and navigated crises for public figures. Now, he must do that for a company under scrutiny: dealing with media lawsuits, Sora’s copyright issues, energy demands, and more.
In a recent on-stage interview, Lehane acknowledged tension points: how OpenAI pivoted from an “opt-out” model for content to an “opt-in” one, and how the company balances its mission with business and legal pressures. He admitted many answers are still in flux.
OpenAI’s Contradictions on Display
The arrival of Sora, OpenAI’s video generation tool, intensified contradictions. The app launched using copyrighted content unless rights holders opted out not a typical licensing model. Critics argue that OpenAI is retrofitting policy to match its ambition.
Lehane invoked fair use as OpenAI’s “secret weapon” in defending the company's approach. But many publishing and media entities see that defense as defiant not cooperative in the evolving landscape of AI + IP.
Energy, Infrastructure & Local Impact
One of the most uncomfortable debates: power consumption. OpenAI increasingly needs gigawatt-scale energy, especially with AI video workloads. Lehane proposes that OpenAI’s infrastructure investments might modernize local grids but the communities hosting facilities may end up footing the cost.
He points to the astronomical scale of China’s energy growth 450 GW in one year plus new nuclear plants—as part of the geopolitical energy arms race in AI.
Legal Pushback & Subpoenas
Lehane’s job is complicated by legal controversy. During his interview, author Nathan Calvin revealed that OpenAI dispatched a sheriff’s deputy to serve him a subpoena at his home—an action he framed as intimidation tied to California’s new AI-regulation bill.
That move underscores how OpenAI sometimes merges legal tactics and image control, which may undermine the moral authority Lehane tries to uphold.
Internal Dissent & Reputation Risk
Even inside OpenAI, unease is growing. Researchers have publicly questioned whether the company is becoming “a frightening power rather than a virtuous one.”
In one telling moment, Lehane admitted, “We’re making it up as we go.” He talked about balancing mission and pragmatism, navigating public perception, and managing the weight of OpenAI’s growing influence.
What Success or Failure Looks Like
Lehane’s success depends on convincing stakeholders users, creators, regulators that OpenAI is worthy of trust even as it pushes boundaries. But if public perception fractures, the contradictions might outpace spin.
In short: In some ways he’s selling the soul of the company, not just crafting its public face. That makes his role simultaneously powerful and precarious precisely what makes him the “fixer” of OpenAI’s biggest dilemmas.